Sangamon Sun

The Hartsburg-Emden seventh- and eighth-grade volleyball teams took it to the house -- and then got taken to the House.

After winning the 2017 state championships in their respective classes, the squads were congratulated on the House floor by Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), who sponsored House Resolution 318 in their honor.

“These young ladies and their coaches worked incredibly hard to achieve their goals,” Butler said in a press release. “Our community is very proud of them, and I hope they are equally proud of themselves and their accomplishments.”

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield)

The teams, led by head coach Jennifer Hayes, who has won 26 state titles in her career, and assistant Haylie Langley, won the 2017 Elementary School Association Class 7-1A and 8-1A Championships. 

The seventh-grade team won in a three-set match against Grayville, taking the second and third sets after losing the first. The eighth-grade team beat Bartonville in straight sets, capping off a perfect season and continuing the school’s run as state champions for a sixth year.

The seventh-grade team was led by Jenna Benner, Cassie Bridge, Brooke Denney, Allison Woolard, Lily Barry, Cassie Crabtree, Hope Griffieth, Desyre Espinoza, Violet Merz, Abby Montgomery, Dani Phillips, Addie Beekman, Izzy Cox, Cloee O'Donoghue and Lorisa Riggs. The eighth grade team consisted of Jo Jo Baker, Serina Baker, Grace Beekman, Brianna Grabowski, Lanie Hamilton, Hattie Langley, Jaedyn Rybolt, Starlei Miesner, Marilyn McGill, Jenna Benner, Cassie Bridge, Allison Woolard, Lily Barry and Addie Beekman.